MX23RW : Thursday, January 30 12:35:52| >> :600:102020:102020:
[monks data]
Braga
Europa League | Quarter-Finals
Apr 7, 2016 at 8.05pm UK
 
Shakhtar Donetsk

1-2

Eduardo (89')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Rakitskiy (45'), Ferreyra (75')

Shakhtar Donetsk on course to reach Europa League semis after win at Braga

Shakhtar Donetsk are on course to advance to the Europa League semi-finals thanks to a 2-1 win away at Braga in the first leg of their quarter-final contest.

Shakhtar Donetsk have put themselves in pole position to advance to the Europa League semi-finals with a 2-1 win away at Braga in the first leg of their quarter-final contest.

Yaroslav Rakitskiy celebrates scoring with Darijo Srna during the Europa League quarter-final between Braga and Shakhtar Donetsk on April 7, 2016© Getty Images

Hosts Braga were quickest out of the blocks, with Rafa Silva testing Andriy Pyatov inside two minutes with a firm strike from the edge of the area.

Braga continued to do more of the pressing, but it was a first half of few chances that was turned on its head just before the break.

Moments after Marlos had spurned Shakhtar's first chance of the contest, Yaroslav Rakitskiy gave the visitors the lead as his shot at the back post from a corner took a slight deflection and flew past Matheus.

Nikola Vukcevic misses an opportunity and reacts by covering his mouth with both hands while wearing a fluorescent shirt during the Europa League quarter-final between Braga and Shakhtar Donetsk on April 7, 2016© Getty Images

The goal came against the run of play, but Shakhtar gained momentum heading into the second half and should have doubled their lead shortly after the resumption when Maksim Malyshev shot straight at Matheus from close range.

Braga responded by going close themselves shortly after through Rafa's firm shot that grazed the crossbar on its way over.

The home side began to grow in confidence again, but then fell two behind as Shakhtar hit them on the break.

Facundo Ferreyra celebrates scoring during the Europa League quarter-final between Braga and Shakhtar Donetsk on April 7, 2016© AFP

Marlos found space down the right and picked out the unmarked run of Facundo Ferreyra, who cleverly lifted the ball over the advancing Matheus.

That goal appeared to kill off Braga, but the Archbishops gave themselves a lifeline for next week's return leg in the 89th minute when Baiano's cross was firmly met by substitute Wilson Eduardo.

ID:270153: cacheID:270153:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5070:
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Adil Rami celebrates during the Copa del Rey semi-final between Sevilla and Celta Vigo on February 4, 2016
Read Next:
Europa League roundup: Sevilla advance
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
QLazio761019
2Athletic Bilbao751116
3Frankfurt751116
4Man Utd743015
5Lyon742114
6Spurs742114
7Anderlecht742114
8FCSB742114
9Galatasaray734013
10Bodo/Glimt741213
11Olympiacos733112
12Plzen733112
13Rangers732211
14AZ732211
15Union SG732211
16Real Sociedad731310
17Ajax731310
18PAOK731310
19Midtjylland731310
20Elfsborg731310
21Roma72329
22Ferencvaros73049
23Fenerbahce72329
24Besiktas73049
25Porto72238
26FC Twente71427
27Braga72147
28Hoffenheim71336
29M. Tel Aviv72056
30RFS71245
31Slavia Prague71154
32Malmo71154
33Ludogorets70343
34Qarabag71063
35Nice70252
36Dynamo Kiev70161


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!